US imported 11.5x more primary aluminium from Canada than it exported in semi-fabricated form in H1 2026 - know why
At the US-Canada border, aluminium is constantly on the move, but the direction of trade is far from balanced. In the first six months of 2026, the US imported 907,581.44 tonnes of primary aluminium from Canada, while exporting only 78,886.12 tonnes of semi-fabricated aluminium products such as...
Australian bauxite forecast at $39/t vs Guinea at $34-46/t: How ore quality, freight and oversupply are shaping prices
What happens when the world’s biggest bauxite supplier produces too much of the one commodity it dominates? Guinea’s bauxite market is offering a striking answer. Record exports have strengthened its position in global trade, but the surge in supply has also pushed prices lower. Australia,...
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Study questions the credibility of power concession for Rio Tinto Alcan and Century smelters
A study by Wisconsin, USA-based Christensen Associates Energy Consulting questions the sense behind possible power concessions from Big Rivers Electric Corporation for Rio Tinto Alcan's and Century's Sebree and Hawesville aluminium smelters in the USA. According to the study, "A reasonable person...
Norsk Hydro ties up with Rio Tinto for a new power deal
A Norwegian CO2 compensation scheme proposed on Tuesday could allow Norsk Hydro and Rio Tinto to negotiate a new long-term power contract for their Soeral aluminium plan in Norway, Hydro said. The government announce the scheme for the period to end-2020 and said it would apply to aluminium,...
Govt told to be more 'proactive' over smelter
The Government's being told be more proactive when it comes to the row between state owned Meridian Energy and the owners of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. Aluminium prices are at a 25-year low and smelter owners Rio Tinto have already announced 100 job layoffs. Around 900 people directly rely...
Rio's Bluff Smelter talks still on track
Both parties to negotiations over electricity prices for the Rio Tinto-owned aluminium smelter near Bluff say there is no truth to reports that state-owned electricity producer Meridian Energy has abandoned the talks. "We haven't walked away from anything," Meridian spokeswoman Claire Shaw says in...
Founders present Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) at World Conservation Congress
The Global Business and Biodiversity Programme of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) today presented to its members at the World Conservation Congress, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) - a unique aluminium value chain initiative that will create the first Responsible...
Southland's aluminium smelter has a possibility to remain open
A man who held repeated negotiations with the owners of Southland's aluminium smelter thinks an agreement to keep it open is likely. But Sir William Birch says any significant cut in the price it pays for its electricity will be short term. Sir William held multiple roles in government and...
Rio Tinto to undergo another impairment due to Alcan division
Despite efforts to put the ill-fated 2007 acquisition of Alcan behind it, the continued weakness in aluminum prices hints at yet another hefty impairment this year for Rio Tinto. The Anglo-Australian company will look at the carrying value and goodwill of all its businesses ahead of the release of...
LME Lists High Grade Primary Aluminum Brand AAR
The London Metal Exchange said Wednesday it has approved the listing of high-grade aluminum brand AAR, which it said constitutes good delivery with immediate effect, the LME said. The brand is produced by Canada-based Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. at the Arvida Works 1955 plant in Quebec, Canada, which has...
Bluff smelter takes up fast-track job cuts to prevent shutdown
New Zealand Aluminium Smelters has accelerated plans to axe 100 jobs from the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter as depressed global metal prices continue to challenge the sector worldwide. Alan Clarence from the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) said the plan will devastate the...
H.I.G. Europe completes aquisition of Rio Tinto’s ALTEO Alumina Unit
H.I.G. Europe (“H.I.G.”) today announced the closing of its acquisition of the Specialty Alumina business of listed global mining firm Rio Tinto Group. With effect from 1 August 2012, the new group will be renamed ALTEO. With turnover of nearly €300 million, ALTEO is the leading global integrated...
VHE Releases Laser Level Sensors for the Aluminium Industry
VHE Laser Level Sensors are the latest evolution of VHE's proven aluminium metal level sensors. These laser sensors precisely measure the level of molten aluminium in casting machines and launders. They are fully compatible with all earlier models of VHE level sensors and will operate at a higher...
Alcan Cable Launches U.S. Mobile Website
Alcan Cable, a business unit of Rio Tinto, introduced the mobile version of its U.S. website today. The mobile site features product descriptions, applications, technical data, videos and project profiles highlighting the company's aluminum utility cables and STABILOY brand of aluminum alloy...
Nirmal Bang presents reports on base metals
Nirmal Bang has come out with its report on base metals. According to the research firm, further rise is expected in the prices of industrial metals as China announces another round of stimulus package. Industrial metals prices fell on Friday, largely tracking a volatile euro versus the dollar, but...
Rio's threat to close Tiwai Point could delay Mighty River sale
The Government will delay the partial sale of Mighty River Power until early next year while it deals with headaches including Rio Tinto's threat to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter and Maori claims over water, sharemarket sources say. The timetable for the Government's partial asset sales...
Rio Tinto not tempted by cheap mining assets
Valuations of mining assets are well down from recent peaks, but don’t expect Rio Tinto to be out and about among the bottom fishers. Analysts who sat down with Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese at a roundtable this week came away with the impression that the Anglo-Australian miner is keeping its purse...
Rio Tinto not to lift force majeure on Asia aluminum supply
Rio Tinto Alcan has no immediate plans to lift a force majeure on primary aluminum shipments to customers in the Asia Pacific, spokesman Bryan Tucker said late Monday, although quality problems at the Sohar Aluminium joint venture smelter has been brought under control. The smelter is turning out...
Carbon tax blamed for Queensland smelter job cuts
The federal opposition says the carbon tax is partly responsible for 90 job losses at Australia's largest aluminium smelter in Queensland. Opposition industry spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella says an organisation restructure, as well as a blow-out in operating costs, taxes and over-regulation has hit...
Rio Tinto Alcan offers easier licensing deals for rivals
Rio Tinto Alcan has offered more flexible licensing terms for rivals to end an antitrust investigation and avert a possible fine, EU regulators said on Friday as they sought feedback from competitors on the proposals. The European Commission said it had been investigating the issue following a 2008...
